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Wild & Free (replaced 4/15/08) LbNA #38539 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Mar 25, 2008
Location:
City:Menlo Park
County:San Mateo
State:California
Boxes:1
Planted by:WyndRyders
Found by: Zebra
Last found:Mar 26, 2008
Status:FFF
Last edited:Mar 25, 2008
**This letterbox has been REPLACED as of 4/15/08. It now sports a new, handcarved stamp and a much more secretive hiding spot**

On the other side of the tracks from downtown Menlo Park, lies Burgess Park, a large park and community center for the city of Menlo Park. To reach this park, take the Willow Road exit from Hwy 101, turn right on Laurel, then left on Burgess. Park in the parking lot at the corner of Laurel and Burgess or drive a little further on Burgess and park along the road by the baseball diamond.

Facing the toddler playground, walk around it to the left, passing the tennis courts and pool on the right and a picnic area on the left. You will see two red squares on the ground where you can stop and rest if you've had a long drive or bike ride to the park.

From the second red square, count three lamp posts in the direction you were walking. Continue to the last of those three lamp posts, then turn left on the sidewalk towards the place where people are not committing a crime.

Follow the sidewalk around the the right and listen for a fountain. Find the fountain, which was given to Menlo Park by a popular magazine on the occasion of the city's centennial in 1974. It's sculptor appears to have had floral leanings in his DNA.

Exit the fountain area towards the duck pond. Note how you can "Help Keep the Ducks Wild and Free" (inspiration for the name of this box). Follow the path around the pond to the right, passing the place where city officials meet. Take the stone path, leading to a brick path and a wooden bridge.

As you reach the bridge, walk down to the left of the span and sit on the bank. You will see that the bridge is supported by steel girders. Locate the large stone closest to the bridge and also closest to the water. Slide your hand, palm up, along this rock and under the girder. Using your fingers, reach up to the ledge on the backside of the girder. Your prize should be on the ledge, just above the rock.

**Note** This letterbox is held to the girder with magnets, so take care not to drop it into the water when recovering or replacing it. Burgess is a popular park, so please be aware of onlookers when you uncover the box and be sure to replace it over the rock rather than over the water!